Traveling from Blades to Wilmington covers 88.5 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 39 minutes to complete. Because this is a relatively short trip, you can easily manage it as a single-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. You should expect to spend roughly $15 on fuel for this journey. The route primarily relies on local roads rather than major interstates, taking you from southern Delaware toward the northern part of the state. It serves as a straightforward connection between these two Delaware locations, making it a practical choice for those looking to reach Wilmington efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.1 miles from Blades, DE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
41.7 mi
48m
South Dupont Highway
21.1 mi
25m
Sussex Highway
13.6 mi
18m
Wilmington Expressway
4.6 mi
5m
Puncheon Run Connector
2.4 mi
3m
Delaware Turnpike
1.8 mi
2m
West 11th Street
0.6 mi
1m
East High Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 41.7 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blades, DE and Wilmington, DE.
1
Start on South Market Street
94 ft·5 sec·South Market Street
2
Turn right onto East High Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·East High Street
3
Continue on Concord Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·Concord Road
4
Turn left onto US 13; DE 20
14 mi·18 min·Sussex Highway
5
Continue on US 13
21 mi·25 min·South Dupont Highway
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·8 sec
Toward Wilmington, Delaware Memorial Bridge
7
Continue on Puncheon Run Connector
2.4 mi·3 min·Puncheon Run Connector
8
Merge onto DE 1 Toll
2.3 mi·2 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1 Toll
28 mi·31 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
6.5 mi·7 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1
5.2 mi·6 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward DE 1 North: Wilmington, BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 165BToward I 95 North: Wilmington, PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 95
1.8 mi·2 min·Delaware Turnpike
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
1.4 mi·1 min·Wilmington Expressway
Toward I 95, I 495: Wilmington, Philadelphia
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 202
3.2 mi·4 min·Wilmington Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 7Toward DE 52: Delaware AvenueUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn slight left onto North Adams Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·North Adams Street
18
Turn right onto West 11th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West 11th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Turn right onto US 13 Business
86 ft·2 sec·North King Street
20
Arrive at destination
US 13 Business
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy route without any designated stops, it is best to ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you depart to avoid searching for stations along local roads. Budgeting about $15 for gas is a safe estimate for the 1 hour and 39-minute duration. Because you are not dealing with long, uninterrupted highway stretches, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on local traffic conditions. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between Sussex Highway and Concord Road, as the lack of highway signage means you should stay alert for upcoming turns. Planning your departure to avoid peak local traffic hours will make this 88.5-mile drive much more manageable.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.1 miles from Blades, DE, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.1 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilmington, DE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Blades, DE so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Blades, DE
This is one driving day of about 88.3 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Blades, DE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for about 41.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 35.7 and 87.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
35.7 mi into trip|~46m in
Take the exit toward Wilmington, Delaware Memorial Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Wilmington, Delaware Memorial Bridge
8
74.6 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway toward DE 1 North: Wilmington, Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward DE 1 North: Wilmington, Baltimore
8
79.8 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Wilmington, Philadelphia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 165B
Toward I 95 North: Wilmington, Philadelphia
6
82.7 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|I 95 / Wilmington Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Wilmington Expressway toward I 95, I 495: Wilmington, Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95, I 495: Wilmington, Philadelphia
7
87.3 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward DE 52: Delaware Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7
Toward DE 52: Delaware Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.64 one way
$29.28 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$16.03
$32.07
premium
$4.93
$17.12
$34.25
diesel
$5.61
$19.50
$38.99
Estimated Tolls: $0.12
Delaware Turnpike
(1.8 mi)$0.12
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.5
0
$9.27
$4.24
Efficient EV
22.1
0
$7.73
$3.53
EV Truck/SUV
35.3
0
$12.36
$5.65
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Blades, DE
Night
in Blades on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wilmington, DE
Night
in Wilmington on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 50m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 88.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you make your way north. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route relies on roads like East High Street, Concord Road, and Sussex Highway to navigate the landscape. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend the entire trip on local thoroughfares, which requires more active attention behind the wheel. The personality of this drive is defined by its winding local segments rather than high-speed cruising. You will find that the road demands constant engagement as you transition between these smaller routes throughout the 88.5-mile journey.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.7 mi on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 35.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.6 miles (DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Blades, DE and Wilmington, DE, road signs point toward Baltimore and Philadelphia.
Baltimore
74.6 mi in|~1h 31m|via DE 1
Philadelphia
79.8 mi in|~1h 37m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 88.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.7 miles on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.12 in tolls one way, starting with Delaware Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Wilmington, DE before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 35.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.6 miles (DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — First State National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Wilmington, DE before heading back.
